It's O.K. not to be O.K.
'It's O.K. not to be O.K.'
This is what Naomi Osaka wrote in her article published in Time magazine. As a four-time grand slam champion and the first Asian player to hold the number 1 ranking in tennis, withdrawing from the 2021 French Open to tend to her mental health was surprising to some but not shocking. Mental health is becoming more normalized in society, and professional athletes like Osaka are at the forefront of this movement. In her article, Osaka explained her action of pulling out from the French Open and emphasized the importance of athlete mental health.
"Believe it or not, I am naturally introverted and do not court the spotlight. I always try to push myself to speak up for what I believe to be right, but that often comes at a cost of great anxiety."
"I feel uncomfortable being the spokesperson or face of athlete mental health as it's still so new to me and I don't have all the answers. I do hope that people can relate and understand it's O.K. to not be O.K., and it's O.K. to talk about it. There are people who can help, and there is usually light at the end of any tunnel."
Osaka is an inspiration to many around the world. She has raised issues surrounding the press and its impact on athletes. She has suggested that the media give 'some level of privacy and empathy' and poses a solution of giving 'athletes the right to take a mental break from media scrutiny on a rare occasion without being subject to strict sanctions.'
One strategy Osaka has used to cope with her mental health is writing in a journal. She says, "I think that that keeps my thoughts in order," and "I feel like it gives me clarity on what I want to do and what I want to accomplish." Studies show journaling can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, boost immune function, and cultivate gratitude. It can take your negative thoughts down on paper, process them more analytically non-emotional way and respond appropriately.
So next time you feel like you need a break from your sport or activity, remember, it's ok not to be ok. Everyone goes through mentally challenging phases, and taking time away to reset yourself can be the best way to get yourself back on track. Try journaling to organize your thoughts and as Osaka says, "If I am feeling this way, why would I keep pushing through it, when I can kind of confront it and fix it and then continue on my journey."
Clarke, L.' Naomi Osaka's return to tennis is an open question; her impact on mental-health awareness is clear', The Washington Post, September 4 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09/04/naomi-osaka-us-open-mental-health/
Gillen, N.' Naomi Osaka reveals which activity helped her recover from mental health struggles', GiveMeSport, February 11 2022
Osaka, N.' It's O.K. not to be O.K', Time, July 8 2021 https://time.com/6077128/naomi-osaka-essay-tokyo-olympics/
Top Evidence-Based Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health, Reflection.App, December 21 2022 https://www.reflection.app/blog/benefits-of-journaling#:~:text=Studies%20have%20also%20shown%20that,of%20journaling%20for%20anxiety%20symptoms.